Hasten evacuation of Nigerians in South Africa

With the June 30 deadline for the evacuation of undocumented Nigerians in South Africa around the corner, it is sad that most Nigerians who have registered to relocate to Nigeria following violent xenophobic attacks in South Africa are still stranded in that country. The affected Nigerians had staged a protest at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, demanding urgent evacuation following repeated delays in government-sponsored repatriation flights. However, the second batch of 66 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by50pm on June 25, 2026. In the first batch of the exercise, no fewer than 258 Nigerians were repatriated from South Africa to Nigeria through a federal government-arranged flight.

About 700 Nigerians are still waiting for evacuation from South Africa. These Nigerians registered for voluntary repatriation following the growing wave of xenophobic violence and anti-foreigner tensions in South Africa. Out of the over 1,000 Nigerians, who initially registered with the federal government for evacuation, only 324 have been evacuated in two separate operations.

The Nigerian protesters at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria had expressed frustration over the repatriation process, lack of shelter and concerns for their families. Many had already vacated their accommodations and had lost their jobs in South Africa in anticipation of the journey back home, with no alternative accommodations and budget to cater for the unexpected repatriation delays.

Consequently, the Nigerian Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Ajayi, has explained that the repatriation process was temporarily suspended due to operational reasons and not canceled. He assured the protesters that flights would resume. Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, promised that no citizen willing to return home would be abandoned by the federal government.

In spite of these explanations by government officials, the undue delay in evacuating Nigerians from South Africa is untidy and unacceptable. It does not speak well of the country and how it caters for the welfare of its citizens abroad. The first duty of government is to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens in the country and anywhere in the world. The United States government has demonstrated this care for its citizens times without number. If Ghana and other African countries could seamlessly evacuate their stranded citizens from South, Nigeria, the giant of Africa, should do better. We are miffed by the repeated delays in repatriating Nigerians in South Africa by the federal government.

For instance, Ghana organised early evacuation flights for approximately 300 to 1,000 citizens from Johannesburg to Accra, and provided for their upkeep on arrival. Mozambique repatriated between roughly 700 to 800 citizens in the wake of escalating protests and targeted unrest, while Malawi provided state-sponsored evacuation flights and buses for thousands of Malawians in South Africa. Zimbabwe also evacuated many of its citizens fleeing intimidation and violence in South Africa. Countries like Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also offered voluntary repatriation support for their citizens.

The South African government said it does not recognize the June 30 deadline and has declared it unlawful and illegal. Government officials have warned that attempting to enforce the ultimatum or incite xenophobic violence could lead to criminal charges. It urged people to go about their businesses on June 30.

Nigeria should not rely on the tepid response of the South African government to the anti-immigration protesters. The xenophobic violence may even be more deadly after the deadline. The government did nothing to stop the violent protests. The June 30 ultimatum originated from a viral poster linked to anti-illegal immigration movements like ‘March and March’ and ‘Operation Dudula.’ The founder of March and March, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, has repeatedly made inflammatory statements against Nigerian citizens and other foreign nationals. She has blamed Nigeria for crimes and other vices in South Africa.

Ngobese-Zuma’s claims are not supported by facts. Fiery South African politician, Julius Malema, has disclosed that over 90 per cent of convicted criminals in South African prisons were South Africans and not foreign nationals. ‘March and March’ activists have called for stricter immigration laws, enhanced border control, and prioritisation of South African citizens in employment and public services, but their campaign has been tainted with derogatory speeches and violence.

We condemn the violent campaign and rhetoric of the anti-immigration protesters in South Africa, especially the use of anti-migrant vigilantism to intimidate other foreign nationals. They should heed the advice of the Zulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, who has urged South Africans to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. He warned that these attacks damage South Africa’s reputation and could endanger South Africans living elsewhere. He acknowledged that many migrants were driven out of their home countries by the search for better opportunities, but stressed the need to respect South Africa’s immigration laws so that the country’s own citizens would not be disadvantaged.

With just a day left for the June 30 deadline to expire, we urge the federal government to expedite action to repatriate every Nigerian who has voluntarily registered to return home. It must also ensure that their businesses and property left behind in their hurried flight home must be protected and accounted for by the South African authorities.